Temporary protection at four: What's next for transition pathways?

• Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies
• MPC: Migration Policy Centre

Join the first session of the “Lunch Bites” series, a new online lunchtime conversation event that is part of the Migration Research-to-Policy Co-Lab, dedicated to bridging research and policy through focused, concise, and evidence-based exchanges on topical migration issues.

This Lunch bites webinar takes stock of the implementation of the Temporary Protection Directive and looks ahead to the post‑March 2027 landscape.

The activation of the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD) in 2022 marked a turning point in the EU’s asylum policy, enabling swift protection for millions of displaced Ukrainians while preventing the collapse of national asylum systems. Subsequent Council and Commission guidance has outlined pathways toward post‑2027 solutions, primarily focusing on national residence permits and facilitating voluntary return. Yet a key gap remains: a significant number of beneficiaries are unable either to meet integration‑based criteria for long‑term permits or to return safely due to ongoing conflict. Without a dedicated transitional mechanism, this gap risks overloading national asylum systems and creating protection gaps and legal limbos.

Bringing together research and policy perspectives, Meltem İneli Ciğer (Suleyman Demirel University) and Elena Gobbetti (DG HOME, European Commission) will discuss evidence-based solutions beyond yearly temporary protection extensions that could help fill this gap and create opportunities for sustainable transition pathways.

Learn more about the Migration Research to Policy CoLab.